Purpose

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Voluntary Sector Support Fund Programme.

An application for Voluntary Sector Support Funding has been received from Bee Released Counselling for £30 to cover the costs of one year’s membership to Action Hampshire plus £446 for one day’s one-to-one guidance from Action Hampshire to support future planning and increase referrals.

Bee Released are a local Community Interest Company operating in the community largely in Portchester and Whiteley.  In the last year they have supported 50 people from across the Borough, offering low-cost counselling sessions for adults. They are professionally accredited and have a particular focus on providing counselling around mental health concerns and for carers.

The total income of the organisation for last year was £1,528. Bee Released is requesting funding to become a member of Action Hampshire and also for a one-to-one session for support with planning and projections for the future with aims and objectives to better target referrals.

Decision

RESOLVED that this application is approved.